Contact lens manipulation and cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides apparatus for manipulating and cleaning of contact lenses, together with methods for same.

This invention relates to an apparatus for hygienic insertion,positioning and removal of contact lenses from a person's eyes.

It is estimated that more than 150 million people in the USA usecorrective eye wear for refractive errors (Prevent Blindness America,2002). Contact lenses represent an increasingly popular and convenientsolution to correct defective vision such that the contact lens markethas a growth of approximately 20% year over year, and sales have grownfrom $16 million in 1998 to an expected $184 million in 2003. Contactlenses by their very nature are small, delicate and easily damaged, andthis leads to problems associated with handling and insertion for agreat many users. Installation and removal of contact lenses can bephysically cumbersome and time consuming, and the majority of users areknown to experience difficulties when they first start wearing contactlenses. Many people go on to find the insertion and removal of contactlenses a natural thing to do, but a significant proportion of people arebelieved to have continuing difficulties/problems associated withcontact lens insertion/removal. It is widely perceived within theindustry that there is a requirement for a solution to overcome theproblems associated with manipulation, insertion and removal of contactlenses.

Hygiene can also pose a problem with regard to the wearing of contactlenses—in the event that a contact lens is dropped during insertion intoor removal from the eye it may become contaminated with particulatematter (e.g. dirt) or micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria), which can causeinfections, discomfort, and damage to the eye. There is also a risk thata contact lens may become contaminated through contact with the skin ofa finger or the palm of the hand. A variety of micro-organisms areinvolved in causing eye infections, but the most commonly isolatedorganisms are Serratia, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter (from contaminatedsterilising and washing solutions) and staphylococci (from directhandling of contact lenses). In order to maintain good ocular hygiene itis important that a contact lens user washes their hands prior toinsertion/removal of a contact lens, and that the contact lenses arecleaned properly in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.Indeed, deviation from recommended wear and care procedures are theprime factors involved in contraction of Acanthamoeba keratitis, aserious and painful condition which may cause long-term damage to theeye. Cleaning and disinfection of contact lenses can thus be timeconsuming and impractical, particularly when a user does not have aready means available to clean their hands prior to handling theircontact lenses e.g whilst travelling. Survey evidence suggests that 75%of existing contact lens users reported that they would use an apparatuswhich would not only insert/remove their lenses but also clean and storethem.

Prior art contact lens insertion and removal devices include U.S. Pat.No. 4,201,408, U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,226, and WO 99/21519. U.S. Pat. No.4,201,408 discloses a device having a cup to receive a contact lens, thecup having a hole connected to a tube. The tube serves to apply negativepressure to the contact lens in order to pick it up, and positivepressure to facilitate discharge of the contact lens onto the eyeball.The tube also provides a light source, visualised as a bright spot oflight which can serve as a target by a user, thereby making the processof contact lens insertion/removal easier. A means is provided to distortthe cup and the contact lens which aids removal of a contact lens fromthe eye.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,226 discloses a device combining a means to positionor remove a contact lens combined with a means to keep the upper andlower eyelids open. Using one hand, the eyelids are retained open usingeyelid engaging means, and the contact lens is positioned or removedusing the other hand and a pair of flexible tweezers.

WO 99/21519 discloses a package containing a contact lens stored insaline solution. The package comprises an applicator for applying thecontact lens to the eye, thereby circumventing the requirement for auser to physically pick up the contact lens and place it on their palmprior to insertion onto the eyeball. By removing contact between fingersand the contact lens, the chances of contaminating the contact lens by auser are thereby considerably reduced, and good ocular hygiene ismaintained.

Prior art devices are primarily used for the insertion and/or removal ofcontact lenses from the eye. The devices, although minimising contactwith skin and therefore the risks of contamination of a contact lens,still require the use of both hands, typically with one hand holdingopen the eyelids, and the other hand inserting the contact lens throughthe use of an applicator or tweezers. The application step, althoughfacilitated through the use of tweezers or an applicator, can still beproblematic since it invariably requires a degree of skill and dexterityby the user—a good aim and appropriate use of force is required toposition a contact lens on the eyeball. Importantly, none of the priorart devices are designed for cleaning contact lenses—the contact lensesmay be removed and stored using the prior art devices, but cleaning of acontact lens prior to storage invariably involves manual (i.e.fingertip) “scouring” or “scrubbing” of the contact lens with a cleaningsolution typically comprising a detergent followed by rinsing with asterile saline solution.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the prior artdisadvantages by providing an apparatus for use with a contact lenswhich comprises automatic contact lens installation, insertion, removal,manipulation, cleaning, and storage steps, without the need for a userto physically manipulate or clean the contact lens themselves.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is providedan apparatus for manipulation and cleaning of a contact lens, saidapparatus comprising an at least one eyepiece, an at least one body, anda cleaning housing, said at least one eyepiece when attached to said atleast one body defining an opening into said at least one body and saidat least one eyepiece comprising:

-   -   (i) a head for engaging a contact lens; and    -   (ii) an eyelid opening means,

-   said at least one body containing a contact lens manipulation means    comprising an elongate arm defining a longitudinal axis and an arm    movement means communicating with said arm, said arm movement means    effecting movement of said arm between a retracted position and an    extended position;

-   said apparatus arranged such that when said at least one eyepiece is    attached to said at least one body and the face of a user is in    contact with said at least one eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and    lower eyelids of said user being positioned over said opening, said    eyelid opening means is engageable with said upper and lower eyelids    to retain them open, said arm being engaged with said head and being    extendable to contact said eyeball of said user and effect insertion    and removal of a contact lens into and from said eye;

-   said cleaning housing comprising contact lens cleaning means and    being engageable with said at least one eyepiece, such that when    said at least one eyepiece and said cleaning housing are engaged,    said contact lens cleaning means can effect cleaning of a contact    lens engaged with said head of said at least one eyepiece.

The at least one eyepiece may be removably attachable to the at leastone body. Alternatively the at least one eyepiece may be permanentlyengaged with the at least one body.

Thus, the apparatus may comprise one eyepiece attached to one body, anda cleaning housing which is engageable with the eyepiece.

The at least one eyepiece may define an opening into the body and aneyehole. A user may position their eye over the eyehole and look intothe eyehole.

The at least one eyepiece may be adapted such that when the face of auser is in contact with the eyepiece, external light is not visible tothe user, e.g. is prevented from entering between the face of the userand the eyepiece, thus being prevented from entering the volume definedby the person's face, the eyepiece and the body. The at least oneeyepiece may extend around the eyelid opening means, thereby protectingit from damage. The at least one eyepiece may be sprung such that whenit is pressed against the face of a user, it retracts towards the bodyof the apparatus and the eyelids of the user contact the eyelid openingmeans. The arms may be spaced so as to not contact the eyeball of auser.

The eyepiece or body may comprise a light source such that when a userlooks through the eyepiece into the opening of the device, the user seesa small focussed spot of light, thereby preventing the user from seeingthe arm and the head of the device. The inability of the user to see thecomponents of the device, both in a static or moving state, minimisesflinching by the user and facilitates insertion and removal of contactlenses. The spot of light may be coloured to indicate either normalfinction or to prompt the user to change the batteries of the device, ortheir contact lenses. The light may also be used to signal otherinformation to a user.

The apparatus (for example the body) may comprise a control (e.g. abutton or switch), for use by a user to control the contact lensmanipulation means. By actuating the control, a user can thus install orremove a contact lens into their eye, or remove a contact lens from itspackaging and install it into the apparatus. All the functions of theapparatus may be controlled through the use of the control.

The apparatus may comprise two eyepieces, two bodies, and a cleaninghousing, each eyepiece being attached to a body, the cleaning housingbeing engageable with the eyepieces. Each eyepiece may define an openinginto the body, and may comprise a head for engaging a contact lens andan eyelid opening means. The body may comprise a contact lensmanipulation means, wherein when the face of a user is in contact withthe eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of the user beingpositioned over the opening, the eyelid opening means is engageable withthe upper and lower eyelids to retain them open, the contact lensmanipulation means comprising an elongate arm defining a longitudinalaxis and an arm movement means communicating with the arm, the armmovement means effecting movement of the arm between a retractedposition and an extended position;

-   wherein when the at least one eyepiece is attached to the at least    one body and the face of a user is in contact with the at least one    eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of the user being    positioned over the opening, the eyelid opening means can engage the    upper and lower eyelids and retain them open, the arm engaged with    the head extending to contact the eyeball of the user and effect    insertion and removal of a contact lens into and from the eye;-   the cleaning housing comprising contact lens cleaning means and    being engageable with the at least one eyepiece, such that when the    at least one eyepiece and the cleaning housing are engaged, the    contact lens cleaning means can effect cleaning of a contact lens    engaged with the head of the at least one eyepiece.

The apparatus may comprise two eyepieces, one body and a cleaninghousing, the eyepieces being removably attachable to the body and thecleaning housing being engageable with the eyepieces, such that when atleast one eyepiece is engaged with the cleaning housing, the contactlens cleaning means can effect cleaning of any contact lens engaged withthe head of the eyepiece.

The apparatus may be formed such that only one of the two eyepieces isattachable to the body at any given time.

The arm may be capable of releasably engaging the head.

The arm may extend through the opening to engage the head.

The arm movement means may effect movement of the arm between aretracted position in which the arm is contained within the body of theapparatus, and an extended position in which the arm extends through theopening.

The arm may be attached to the head

The eyepieces may each hold a contact lens, the prescription of whichcorresponds to a particular eye. The eyepieces may be formed so that oneeyepiece has a shape adapted for use with the left eye of a user, andthe other eyepiece has a shape adapted for use with the right eye. Theshape of an eyepiece may be such that if it is attempted for use withthe incorrect eye, an incorrect fit is made which is noticeable to theuser. This prevents insertion into the eye of a contact lens of thewrong shape or prescription.

The eyelid opening means may comprise a plurality of arms, each of thearms being movable within a guide track positioned within the eyepiece,wherein the arms, responsive to contact against the upper and lowereyelids of a user, move along the guide tracks engaging and retainingthe upper and lower eyelids in an open position.

The contact lens manipulation means may comprise a rack associated withthe arm, the rack engaging with a worm associated with the arm movementmeans. Movement of the rack is responsive to rotational movement of theworm about it's longitudinal axis. The use of rack and worm gears willbe well known to a person skilled in the art. The contact lensmanipulation means may comprise an electric motor to effect movement ofthe arm between extended and retracted states. Movement of the arm isnot limited to the use of a rack and worm—indeed, other ways of movingthe arm are envisaged and will be well known to a person skilled in theart. In particular, the arm movement means may comprise apparatusdescribed in EP 0784252 (also known in the art as “SMAC”devices/technology), effecting actuation of the arm and in particular toeffecting a “soft landing” of the head (and thus of a contact lens whenengaged with the head) on the eye of a user. Actuators, springarrangements and other devices described in EP 0635786 and EP 0778656may also be used.

The apparatus, particularly the eyepiece, may be provided with a fluiddrainage arrangement in order to allow fluid such as contact lenscleaning fluid to be drained from the eyepiece, preventing its damagingthe apparatus contained in the body. For example, the at least oneeyepiece may be provided with fluid drainage means. In addition, sealmeans may be provided (for example incorporated into the at least oneeyepiece and/or into the at least one body) preventing the transmissionof fluid from the at least one eyepiece into the at least one body. Thiscan allow movement of the arm without allowing the transmission offluid.

The head may be resiliently deformable, defining a first extendedposition, and a second contracted position, wherein the head is capableof gripping a contact lens when the head is in the second position. Thehead of the eyepiece may be shaped to complement the shape of a contactlens (e.g. cup shaped), and/or it may comprise a plurality of grippingarms e.g. two, three or four arms. The head may be manufactured from aresiliently deformable material, e.g a low shore factor thermoplasticelastomer (TPE). The head and gripping arms may be moulded to facilitategripping or pinching of a contact lens when the head is in the second(contracted) position.

The contact lens manipulation means may comprise a head manipulatingmeans to effect gripping of a contact lens by the head of the eyepiece,to facilitate removal of a contact lens from the eye or its packaging.

The head manipulating means may comprise a longitudinally elongatesleeve positioned coaxial with and radially extended from the arm anddefining first and second ends, the arm being positioned radiallyinwards of the sleeve and defining a head-contacting end, the first endof the sleeve terminating adjacent to the head-contacting end of thearm, wherein the head and arm are movable relative to the sleeve alongthe longitudinal axis between a first position in which the head doesnot engage the sleeve and is in the first extended state, and a secondposition in which the head engages the sleeve and is deformed into thesecond contracted state, thereby effecting gripping of the contact lens.

The sleeve and the arm may be reversibly coupled to one another. Thehead manipulating means may comprise a coupling control means, thecoupling control means being capable of coupling and uncoupling thesleeve and the arm between coupled and uncoupled states. In the coupledstate the arm moves in conjunction with the sleeve, and in the uncoupledstate the arm moves independently of the sleeve.

The coupling control means may be electronic or electromagnetic (forexample a solenoid). The coupling control means may be preferablyoperatively linked to the arm movement means, and controlled such thatthe sleeve and arm are automatically uncoupled when the head of the armcontacts a contact lens placed in position on the eyeball, prior toretraction of the arm and gripping of the contact lens. Retraction ofthe arm through the sleeve need only be a short distance, for examplebetween 0.3-2.0 cm. Retraction of the arm may be controlled in order toavoid the head and contact lens being pulled through the first end ofthe sleeve and damaged.

The contact lens cleaning means may comprise an at least one cleaningarm defining a cleaning head capable of contacting a contact lens, and acleaning arm movement means communicating with the cleaning arm, thecleaning arm movement means effecting movement of the cleaning head forcleaning a contact lens. The contact lens cleaning means may comprisetwo cleaning arms, each arm being capable of cleaning a contact lenscontained within an eyepiece.

The cleaning arm movement means may comprise an electric motor to effectrotational movement of the cleaning arm about its longitudinal axis, andmay be provided with an off centre gear which provides a verticallyoscillating movement.

The contact lens cleaning means may comprise an ultrasonic cleaningmeans, for example an ultrasonic probe. Ultrasonic cleaning devices arewell known to a person skilled in the art.

The contact lens cleaning means may be turned on or off or otherwisecontrolled by way of a control (e.g. a switch or button) located on thecleaning housing, and a user can thus clean contact lenses containedwithin the eyepieces by actuating the control.

The apparatus (for example the cleaning housing) may comprise acompartment for storage of contact lens cleaning solutions and/or othercomponents. The body and cleaning housing may comprise a compartment inwhich batteries may be stored, the batteries being used to power theapparatus.

The present invention in its various aspects also provides theopportunity to incorporate medical testing equipment for testing atleast one eye of a patient. For example the apparatus may incorporateequipment to test a patient for glaucoma. Visual field test means may beincorporated into the apparatus, enabling a visual field test to beperformed using it. For example, at least part of the visual field testmeans may be incorporated into the body of the apparatus. The visualfield test means could be provided in the form of equipment foroperation by a qualified optician or physician, or could be in the formof equipment for home use and which in the case of an adverse resultbeing obtained can advise a user to seek medical advice to determinewhether they are suffering from glaucoma. Other testing equipment iswell known in the art and can be incorporated with the apparatus of thepresent invention. In particular, the present invention is well suitedto testing equipment which requires clear access to at least one eye ofa patient.

The apparatus can also provide convenient means for advising a userregarding the changing of contact lenses. For example, the apparatus maybe adapted such that after a pre-defined number of insertions andremovals of a given contact lens the user is advised (for example by thedisplaying of a message or lighting up of a warning light) that thecontact lens needs replacing. As discussed below, messages may bedisplayed to a user (for example by way of a coloured light) during useof the apparatus. Alternatively, instead of determining whether apre-defined number of insertions and removals has been performed, amessage may be displayed when a certain period of use (e.g. one week orone month) of a lens has elapsed. The apparatus may be provided withdata input means to allow the setting and re-setting of necessaryinformation, for example the start date of use of a lens or the numberof uses of a lens. The apparatus may additionally be adapted such thatfor example in the case where multiple heads are to be used with onebody, each head can be distinguished by the body and messagesappropriate to that head issued. Alternatively, a head may containwithin it the means for determining its use and issuing messages etc.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of inserting or removing at least one contact lens into or froman eye of a user using an apparatus for manipulation of a contact lens,said apparatus comprising an at least one eyepiece and an at least onebody, said at least one eyepiece when attached to said at least one bodydefining an opening into said at least one body and said at least oneeyepiece comprising:

-   -   (i) a head for engaging a contact lens; and    -   (ii) an eyelid opening means,

-   said at least one body containing a contact lens manipulation means    comprising an elongate arm defining a longitudinal axis and an arm    movement means communicating with said arm, said arm movement means    effecting movement of said arm between a retracted position and an    extended position;

-   said apparatus arranged such that when said at least one eyepiece is    attached to said at least one body and the face of a user is in    contact with said at least one eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and    lower eyelids of said user being positioned over said opening, said    eyelid opening means is engageable with said upper and lower eyelids    to retain them open, said arm being engaged with said head and being    extendable to contact said eyeball of said user and effect insertion    and removal of a contact lens into and from said eye;    said method comprising the steps of:    -   (i) contacting the face of a user with said at least one        eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of the user        being positioned over said opening;    -   (ii) operating said apparatus so as to engage said upper and        lower eyelids and retain them open and extend said arm engaged        with said head to contact said eyeball of said user and effect        insertion or removal of a contact lens into or from said eye.

Also provided is a method of inserting or removing at least one contactlens according to the second aspect of the present invention, theapparatus additionally comprising a cleaning housing comprising contactlens cleaning means and being engageable with the eyepiece, such thatwhen the at least one eyepiece and cleaning housing are engaged, thecontact lens cleaning means can effect cleaning of a contact lensengaged with the head of the eyepiece, the method additionallycomprising the steps of:

-   -   (i) engaging the cleaning housing with the at least one eyepiece        having a contact lens engaged with the head;    -   (ii) operating the apparatus so as to effect cleaning of a        contact lens engaged with the head of the eyepiece.

The various aspects and features of the apparatus of the presentinvention equally apply to the methods of the present invention.

The invention will now be described by way of example only withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a shows a sectional view of the apparatus according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the eyelid opening means containedwithin the eyepiece of the apparatus, (a) prior to contact with theeyelids of a user, (b) contacting the eyelids of a user, and (c)retaining the eyelids of a user in an open position;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the contact lens manipulation means of theapparatus with the arm contacting the head of the eyepiece;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the stages in the removal of a contact lensfrom an eye, (a) at the moment when the head of the eyepiece contactsthe contact lens, (b) retraction of the arm/sleeve and uncoupling of thesleeve and arm, (c) retraction of the arm relative to the sleeve causingdeformation of the head and effecting gripping of the contact lens bythe head, and (d) coupling of the arm and sleeve and retraction of thecoupled arm/sleeve into the body;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the stages in the cleaning of a contact lenscontained within the apparatus according to the present invention, (a)prior to addition of cleaning solution, (b) after addition of cleaningsolution, and (c) during cleaning of the contact lens by the contactlens cleaning means; and

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment to that shown in FIG. 1, with analternative arm movement means.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 10 comprises twoeyepieces 50 which are removably attachable to a body 40 (FIG. 1). Onlyone of the eyepieces 50 may be attached to the body 40 at any giventime. The eyepieces 50 are also releasibly engageable with a cleaninghousing 20 (FIG. 5C). Each eyepiece 50, when attached to the body 40,defines an opening 60 into the body 40 of the apparatus 10.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 10 comprises twoeyepieces 50, two bodies 40 and a cleaning housing 20, wherein each ofthe eyepieces 50 is attached to a body 40. The eyepieces 50 are alsoreleasibly engageable with a cleaning housing 20. Each eyepiece 50defines an opening 60 into the body 40 of the apparatus 10.

The eyepieces 50 each comprise an eyelid opening means 70 and a head 120for engaging a contact lens 130 (FIG. 2). The eyelid opening means 70comprises a plurality of eyelid opening arms 80, each of the eyelidopening arms 80 being movable within a guide track 150 positioned withinthe eyepieces 50, wherein the eyelid opening arms 80, responsive tocontact against the upper and lower eyelids 95 of a user (FIG. 2A), movealong the guide tracks 150 (FIG. 2B) engaging and retaining the upperand lower eyelids 95 in an open position (FIG. 2C). The eyepieces 50 ofthe apparatus 10 extend around the eyelid opening means 70, therebyprotecting it from damage. The eyepiece 50 is sprung such that when itis pressed against the face of a user, the eyepiece 50 retracts towardsthe body 40 of the apparatus 10 and the eyelids 95 of the user contactthe eyelid opening means 70. Arms 80 are spaced so as to not contact theeyeball 160 of a user. The eyelid opening means 70 serves to preventblinking during insertion and removal of a contact lens 130. The head120 of the eyepiece 50 can engage a contact lens 130.

With the face of a user in contact with eyepiece 50, the user isprevented from seeing external light (i.e. light is prevented fromentering between the face of the user and the eyepiece).

The body 40 comprises a contact lens manipulation means 90 (FIG. 3)comprising an elongate arm 100 defining a longitudinal axis and an armmovement means 110, communicating with the arm 100. The arm 100 canengage with the head 120 contained within the eyepiece 50. The armmovement means 110 is capable of effecting movement of the arm 100between a retracted position, wherein the arm 100 is contained withinthe body 40 and an extended position, wherein the arm 100 extendsthrough the opening 60, engages with the head 120 contained in theeyepiece 50, and causes the head 120 to contact the eyeball 160 of theuser and effect insertion and removal of a contact lens 130 into andfrom an eye (FIG. 3).

Each eyepiece 50 or body 40 comprises a light source (not shown) suchthat when a user looks through the eyepiece 50 into the opening 60 ofthe apparatus 10, the user sees a small focussed spot of light, therebypreventing the user from seeing the arm 100 and the head 120 of theapparatus 10. The inability of the user to see the components of theapparatus 10, both in a static or moving state minimises flinching bythe user and facilitates insertion and removal of contact lenses. Thespot of light can be coloured to indicate either normal function or toprompt the user to change the batteries of the device, or their contactlenses.

The contact lens manipulation means 90 comprises a rack 170 associatedwith the arm 100, the rack 170 engaging with a worm 180 associated withthe arm movement means 110. The contact lens manipulation 90 meanscomprises an electric motor 190 to effect movement of the arm 100between extended and retracted states. A plurality of gears 195 areprovided to improve the control of the arm 100 and the range of speedavailable for extension and retraction of the arm 100.

The arm 100 travels along the worm 180 in either direction responsive torotation of the worm 180 about it's longitudinal axis in one or otherdirection. Movement of the arm 100 along the worm 180 in one directioncorresponds to extension of the arm 100 such that the head 120 extendsthrough the opening 60, and movement of the arm 100 in the otherdirection along the worm 180 corresponds to retraction of the arm 100,such that it is fully contained within the body 40 of the apparatus 10.The worm 180 is provided with a stop 200 at one or both ends to limitmovement of the arm 100. The arm 100 may be extended and retractedthrough the opening 60 of the apparatus 10 by travelling along the worm180, and the extension and retraction can be controlled by a user. Inone embodiment of the invention (see FIG. 3), the head 120 of eacheyepiece 50 comprises a laser reader 205 which accurately measures thedistance between the eyeball 160 (i.e. the point of contact) and thehead 120 of the eyepiece 50. The apparatus 10 is fitted with a chip 208located on a circuit board 209 which controls movement of the arm 100 inresponse to this measured distance approaching a set parameter. At thispoint the apparatus 10 moves the arm 100 in a tightly controlled andprecise way, thereby inserting the contact lens 130 into the eye in anextremely accurate and safe manner. Movement of the arm 100 along theworm 180 is in response to operation of the apparatus 10 by a user.Apparatus 10 comprises a button 310 (FIG. 1) located on the body 40 tobe depressed by a user in order activate movement of the arm 100.

The same apparatus 10 fitted with a laser reader 205, which measures thedistance between the eyeball 160 and the head 120 of the eyepiece 50 inreal time, is useable by a multitude of users, for example, all themembers of a family who wear contact lenses. In one embodiment of theinvention, the apparatus 10 is fitted with a chip 208 which contains theprecise measurements for extension of the arm 100, as determined by e.g.an optician, such that the apparatus 10 can quickly and safely insert acontact lens 130 into the eye of a user, and that user can have theutmost confidence that the apparatus 10 can insert a contact lens 130safely, since the apparatus 10 is tailored to insert a contact lens 130in accordance with precise measurements of their facial and eye anatomy.

The head 120 of each eyepiece 50 is resiliently deformable, definingfirst extended, and second contracted positions, wherein the head 120 iscapable of gripping a contact lens 130 when the head 120 is in thesecond position. The head 120 of each eyepiece 50 is cup shaped tocomplement the shape of a contact lens 130 or comprises a plurality ofgripping arms 140 e.g. two, three or four. Head 120 is manufactured froma resiliently deformable material such as a low shore factorthermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The head 120 and gripping arms 140 aremoulded to facilitate gripping or pinching of a contact lens 130 whenthe head 120 is in the second (contracted) position.

The contact lens manipulation means 90 comprises a head manipulatingmeans 210 to effect gripping of a contact lens 130 by the head 120 of aneyepiece 50, to facilitate removal of a contact lens 130 from the eye orits packaging. The head manipulating means 210 comprises alongitudinally elongate sleeve 215 positioned coaxial with and radiallyextended from the arm 100. The sleeve 215 defines first and second ends220, 230, the arm 100 being positioned radially inwards of the sleeve215 and defining a head-contacting end 217, the first end 220 of thesleeve 215 terminating adjacent to the head-contacting end 217 of thearm 120. The head 120 and arm 100 are movable relative to the sleeve 215along the longitudinal axis between a first position in which the head120 does not engage the sleeve 215 and is in the first extended state(FIGS. 4A and 4B), and a second position in which the head 120 engagesthe sleeve 215 and is deformed into the second contracted state, therebyeffecting gripping of a contact lens 130 (FIGS. 4C and 4D).

The sleeve 215 and the arm 100 are reversibly coupled to one another andthe head manipulating means 210 comprises a coupling control means 240which is capable of coupling and uncoupling the sleeve 215 and the arm100 between coupled and uncoupled states. In the coupled state the arm100 moves in conjunction with the sleeve 215, and in the uncoupled statethe arm 100 moves independently of the sleeve 215. When the head 120contacts the eyeball 160, the sleeve 215 and the arm 100 becomeuncoupled (FIG. 4B) such that the arm 100 can retract independently ofthe sleeve 215. Upon retraction of the arm 100, the head 120 contactsthe first end 220 of the sleeve 215, and further retraction of the arm100 causes the first end 220 of the sleeve 215 to deform the head 120from the first position to the second position and thereby effectgripping of a contact lens 130 (FIG. 4C).

The coupling control means 240 is electronic or electromagnetic.Coupling control means 240 is operatively linked to arm movement means110 such that sleeve 215 and arm 100 are automatically uncoupled whenhead 120 contacts a contact lens 130 placed in position on the eyeball160, prior to retraction of arm 100 and gripping of contact lens 130.Retraction of arm 100 through sleeve 215 is only a short distance,between 0.3-2.0 cm. Retraction of arm 100 is controlled so as to preventhead 120 and contact lens 130 being pulled through first end 220 ofsleeve 215 and preventing damage. The distance of retraction of arm 100is sufficient to deform head 120 from a first position to a secondposition such that contact lens 130 is gripped by head 120, then sleeve215 and arm 100 are coupled together again, prior to full retraction ofcoupled arm 100 and sleeve 215 back into body 40 of apparatus 10.

As the coupled arm 100 and sleeve 215 retract into the body 40, the arm100 disengages from the head 120 leaving it in the eyepiece 50, therebyallowing the head 120 to revert from the second (contracted) positionwhere the contact lens 130 is gripped or pinched, to the first(extended) position, where the contact lens 130 is merely supported bythe head 120.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the arm does not disengage fromthe head. To release the grip on the contact lens, the sleeve 215 isautomatically uncoupled from the arm, and the arm 100 extendsindependently of the sleeve 215 until the head 120 returns from thesecond (contracted) position, in which the contact lens 130 is gripped,to the first (extended) position, in which the contact lens 130 rests onand is supported by the head 120.

The apparatus comprises a three way micro switch 330 which controls thethree modes of action—namely, (i) insertion/removal of a contact lensinto or from an eye of a user, (ii) installation of a contact lens intoan eyepiece 50, and (iii) removal of a contact lens from an eyepiece 50.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the micro switch 330 isactivated by attaching an eyepiece 50 onto the body 40, and securing itin position with clips provided (not shown). The body 40 can distinguishwhich eyepiece 50 is being used, where one eyepiece 50 contains acontact lens 130 designed for use with the right eye, and the othereyepiece 50 contains a contact lens 130 designed for use with the lefteye. A light or audible signal is relayed to the user to inform themwhich eye they need to position over the eyepiece 50 in order toinstall/remove the correct contact lens.

In a second embodiment of the invention, where the eyepieces 50 are eachattached to a separate body 40, the micro switch 330 for each body 40 isactivated through the use of an external switch positioned on each body40.

A button 310 is positioned on the external surface of the body 40, foruse by a user to control the contact lens manipulation means 90. Bydepressing the button, a user can thus use the body 40 to e.g. install acontact lens 130 into their eye, or remove a contact lens 130 from itspackaging and install it into an eyepiece 50.

The cleaning housing 20 (FIG. 5C) of the apparatus 10 comprises acontact lens cleaning means 250, comprising an at least one cleaning arm260 defining a cleaning head 270, and a cleaning arm movement means (notshown) communicating with the cleaning arm 260. The cleaning armmovement means comprises an electric motor 320 which is capable ofeffecting rotational movement of the cleaning head 270 for cleaning acontact lens 130. The cleaning housing 20 is engageable with eyepieces50, such that when the cleaning housing 20 is engaged with an eyepiece50, the contact lens cleaning means 250 can effect cleaning of thecontact lens 130 contained within either of the eyepieces 50. Thecleaning arm movement means 280 comprises an electric motor (not shown)to effect rotational movement of the cleaning arm 260 about it'slongitudinal axis, and is provided with an off centre gear (not shown)which provides a vertically oscillating movement. Contact lens cleaningmeans 250 is controlled by switch or button (not shown) located on thecleaning housing 20, and a user can thus clean contact lenses containedwithin the eyepieces 50 by flicking the switch or pressing the button.

Cleaning housing 20 comprises a compartment for storage of contact lenscleaning solutions and components. The body 40 and cleaning housing 20comprise a compartment in which batteries may be stored, the batteriesbeing used to power electric motors contained within the apparatus 10.

The body 40, eyepieces 50, and/or cleaning housing 20 of the apparatus10 comprise at least one compartment for storage of spare contact lensesand cleaning solutions and components. The body 40, eyepieces 50 andcleaning housing 20 are manufactured from injection moulded plastic.

As is shown in FIG. 6, in another embodiment of the present inventionthe contact lens manipulation means 90 comprises an arm movement means400 comprising an actuator/drive according to EP 0784252, EP 0534786 andEP 0778656 which facilitates movement of the arm and the measurement offorces felt against the arm 100 in real time, such that a contact lens130 may be manipulated with a high degree of precision, and regulatedforce. When the arm 100 meets a predefined level of resistance, i.e. asit contacts the eyeball 160, it stops quickly and accurately such thatthere is no risk of the apparatus 10 damaging the eye of a user, therebyenhancing user confidence with the apparatus 10.

EXAMPLES

The following examples detail the various functions that the apparatus10 according to the present invention can perform.

Removal of Contact Lenses from Their Packaging and Installation ofContact Lenses into the Apparatus

A contact lens 130, immersed within an appropriate storage solutionwithin its packaging can be installed into an eyepiece 50 by pressingthe button 310 located on the body 40. A single extended press of thebutton 310 by a user will trigger the cycle of movements which enable acontact lens 130 to be installed into an eyepiece 50 of the apparatus10. The first stage in this cycle is an extension of the arm 100 of thecontact lens manipulation means 90 through the opening 60 until the arm100 engages the head 120 within the eyepiece 50. The arm 100 continuesto extend until the head 120 contacts the contact lens 130, at which thepoint the extension of the arm 100 will precisely stop. Next, the sleeve215 is automatically uncoupled from the arm, and the arm 100 retractsindependently of the sleeve 215 until the head 120 is deformed from thefirst (extended) position to the second (contracted) position, therebyeffecting gripping of the contact lens 130. Then, the arm 100 and thesleeve 215 are automatically coupled, and the arm 100 and sleeve 215retract until the head 120 disengages from the arm 100, leaving it inthe eyepiece 50. When the head 120 disengages from the coupledarm/sleeve, the head 120 returns from the second (contracted) position(in which the contact lens 130 is gripped) to the first (extended)position, in which the contact lens 130 rests on and is supported by thehead 120. The coupled arm/sleeve continues to retract until it is fullycontained within the body 40.

Retention of Eye Lids

The eyelid opening means 70 is activated when a user, looking into theopening 60 of the eyepiece 50, contacts the eyepiece 50 against theireyelids 95. The eyepiece 50 is sprung so that it retracts when pressedagainst the eyelids 95, and as it retracts the arms of the eyelidopening means 70 can contact the eyelids 95. As the eyepiece 50 fullyretracts, the arms of the eyelid opening means 70 move along pathsdefined by guide tracks 150 such that the eyelids 95 are gently movedinto an open position, and retained in that position prior to insertionand removal of a contact lens 130 into or from the eye. The pressure iscontrolled by the user, helping them feel as though they are in control.

Insertion of Contact Lenses into an Eye

A contact lens 130, immersed within an appropriate storage or cleaningsolution within an eyepiece 50 and being positioned on the head 120 ofthe eyepiece 50 may be inserted into the eye by pressing the button 310located on the body 40. The user looks into the opening 60 of theeyepiece 50 and the eyelid opening means 70 retains the eyelids 95 in anopen position. A single press of the button 310 will trigger the cycleof events which leads to insertion of the contact lens 130 into the eyeof the user. The first step is an extension of the arm 100 through theopening 60 until the arm 100 engages the head 120 of the eyepiece 50.The arm 100 extends further until the contact lens 130 contacts theeyeball 160. The extension of the arm 100 is controlled and stopped whenthe contact lens 130 touches the eyeball 160. Upon contact with theeyeball 160, the contact lens 130 is sucked onto the eyeball 160 throughcapillary action of the solution on the contact lens 130. Afterinsertion of the contact lens 130, the arm 100 is automaticallyretracted, disengaging from the head 120, and retracted further until itis fully contained within body 40 of the apparatus 10.

Removal of Contact Lenses from an Eye

Following insertion of a contact lens 130 into an eye, a single press ofthe button 310 located on the body 40 will trigger the cycle of eventswhich leads to removal of the contact lens 130 from the eye of the user.The user looks into the opening 60 of the eyepiece 50 and the eyelidopening means 70 retains the eyelids 95 in an open position. Followingthe pressing of the button, in the first step, the arm 100 and sleeve215 are automatically coupled, and the coupled arm/sleeve extendsthrough the opening 60 until the arm 100 engages the head 120. Thecoupled arm/sleeve continues to extend until it contacts the contactlens 130 positioned on the eyeball 160. The extension of the arm 100 iscontrolled and stopped when the head 120 encounters a programmed amountof resistance as it touches the contact lens 130 positioned on theeyeball 160. The arm/sleeve retracts a short distance, and then the arm100 and sleeve 215 are uncoupled. The arm 100 then retracts a setdistance until the head 120 is deformed from the first (extended)position to the second (contracted) position, thereby gripping thecontact lens 130. As the contact lens has been in the eye for a day themoisture content has lowered, resulting in the contact lens 130 becomingtacky to the touch and thereby facilitating the removal process. The arm100 and the sleeve 215 are then coupled together and they retract untilthe head 120 is contained within the eyepiece 50, and then the arm 100continues to retract until it is contained within the body 40, leavingthe head 120 (and the contact lens 130) in the eyepiece 50.

Cleaning of Contact Lenses

Cleaning solution is applied to a contact lens 130 contained within aneyepiece 50. The cleaning solutions are held within the cleaning housing20. The contact lens 130 can be cleaned by engaging the cleaning housing20 with an eyepiece 50 or eyepieces 50. The eyepiece 50 does not have tobe attached to the body 40, although cleaning can be performed if theeyepiece 50 is attached to the body 40. Engaging the cleaning housing 20with one or more eyepieces 50 or eyepieces 50 creates a seal whichprevents the contact lens 130 being exposed to dust or micro-organisms.By pressing the button (not shown) located on the cleaning housing 20, auser activates an electric motor (not shown) which is attached to an offcentre gear which causes both rotation of the cleaning heads 270 and avertically oscillating movement. The cleaning last for approximately 30seconds, after which the contact lens 130 is clean. The solution isautomatically drained out of the eyepiece 50, leaving the contact lens130 substantially solution free to be inserted into an eye.

Storage of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses may be stored in the eyepiece 50 either before or aftercleaning by adding a storage solution (e.g. sterile saline) to theeyepiece 50 to keep the contact lens 130 wet. Prior to insertion into aneye, the contact lenses may be cleaned.

1. An apparatus for manipulation and cleaning of a contact lens, saidapparatus comprising an at least one eyepiece, an at least one body, anda cleaning housing, said at least one eyepiece when attached to said atleast one body defining an opening into said at least one body and saidat least one eyepiece comprising: (i) a head for engaging a contactlens; and (ii) an eyelid opening means, said at least one bodycontaining a contact lens manipulation means comprising an elongate armdefining a longitudinal axis and an arm movement means communicatingwith said arm, said arm movement means effecting movement of said armbetween a retracted position and an extended position; said apparatusarranged such that when said at least one eyepiece is attached to saidat least one body and the face of a user is in contact with said atleast one eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of said userbeing positioned over said opening, said eyelid opening means isengageable with said upper and lower eyelids to retain them open, saidarm being engaged with said head and being extendable to contact saideyeball of said user and effect insertion and removal of a contact lensinto and from said eye; said cleaning housing comprising contact lenscleaning means and being engageable with said at least one eyepiece,such that when said at least one eyepiece and said cleaning housing areengaged, said contact lens cleaning means can effect cleaning of acontact lens engaged with said head of said at least one eyepiece.
 2. Anapparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus comprising two eyepieces,a body and a cleaning housing, said eyepieces being removably attachableto said body and said cleaning housing being engageable with saideyepieces, such that when at least one eyepiece is engaged with saidcleaning housing, said contact lens cleaning means can effect cleaningof any contact lens engaged with said head of said eyepiece.
 3. Anapparatus according to claim 2, wherein only one of said eyepieces isattachable to said body at a time.
 4. An apparatus according to any ofthe preceding claims wherein said arm is capable of releasably engagingsaid head.
 5. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claimswherein said arm extends through said opening to engage said head.
 6. Anapparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said armmovement means effects movement of said arm between a retracted positionin which said arm is contained within said body of said apparatus, andan extended position in which said arm extends through said opening. 7.An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said arm is attached to saidhead
 8. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, whereinsaid eyelid opening means comprises a plurality of arms, each of saidarms being movable within a guide track positioned within said eyepiece,wherein said arms, responsive to contact against said upper and lowereyelids, move along said guide tracks engaging and retaining said upperand lower eyelids in an open position.
 9. An apparatus according to anyof the preceding claims, wherein said contact lens manipulation meanscomprises a rack associated with said arm, said rack engaging with aworm associated with said arm movement means.
 10. An apparatus accordingto any of the preceding claims wherein said contact lens manipulationmeans comprises an electric motor to effect movement of said arm betweensaid extended and retracted positions.
 11. An apparatus according to anyof the preceding claims wherein said head is resiliently deformablebetween a first extended state and a second contracted state, whereinsaid head is capable of gripping a contact lens when said head is insaid contracted state.
 12. An apparatus according to any of thepreceding claims, said contact lens manipulation means additionallycomprising a head manipulating means to effect gripping of said contactlens by said head.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein saidhead manipulating means comprises a longitudinally elongate sleevepositioned coaxial with and radially extended from said arm and definingfirst and second ends, said arm being positioned radially inwards ofsaid sleeve and defining a head-contacting end, said first end of saidsleeve terminating adjacent to said head-contacting end of said arm,wherein said head and arm are movable relative to said sleeve along saidlongitudinal axis between a first position in which said head does notengage said sleeve and is in said first extended state, and a secondposition in which said head engages said sleeve and is deformed intosaid second contracted state, thereby effecting gripping of said contactlens.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said contact lensgripping means comprises a coupling control means, said coupling controlmeans being capable of coupling and uncoupling said sleeve and said armbetween coupled and uncoupled states, wherein in said coupled state saidarm moves in conjunction with said sleeve, and in said uncoupled statesaid arm moves independently of said sleeve.
 15. An apparatus accordingto any of the preceding claims, said contact lens cleaning meanscomprising an at least one cleaning arm defining a cleaning head capableof contacting a contact lens, and a cleaning arm movement meanscommunicating with said cleaning arm, said cleaning arm movement meanseffecting movement of said cleaning head for cleaning said contact lens.16. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, additionallycomprising visual field test means.
 17. A method of inserting orremoving at least one contact lens into or from an eye of a user usingan apparatus for manipulation of a contact lens, said apparatuscomprising an at least one eyepiece and an at least one body, said atleast one eyepiece when attached to said at least one body defining anopening into said at least one body and said at least one eyepiececomprising: (i) a head for engaging a contact lens; and (ii) an eyelidopening means, said at least one body containing a contact lensmanipulation means comprising an elongate arm defining a longitudinalaxis and an arm movement means communicating with said arm, said armmovement means effecting movement of said arm between a retractedposition and an extended position; said apparatus arranged such thatwhen said at least one eyepiece is attached to said at least one bodyand the face of a user is in contact with said at least one eyepiece, aneyeball and upper and lower eyelids of said user being positioned oversaid opening, said eyelid opening means is engageable with said upperand lower eyelids to retain them open, said arm being engaged with saidhead and being extendable to contact said eyeball of said user andeffect insertion and removal of a contact lens into and from said eye;said method comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the face of a userwith said at least one eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelidsof the user being positioned over said opening; (ii) operating saidapparatus so as to engage said upper and lower eyelids and retain themopen and extend said arm engaged with said head to contact said eyeballof said user and effect insertion or removal of a contact lens into orfrom said eye.
 18. A method of inserting or removing at least onecontact lens according to claim 17, said apparatus additionallycomprising a cleaning housing comprising contact lens cleaning means andbeing engageable with said eyepiece, such that when said at least oneeyepiece and cleaning housing are engaged, said contact lens cleaningmeans can effect cleaning of a contact lens engaged with said head ofsaid eyepiece, the method additionally comprising the steps of: (i)engaging said cleaning housing with said at least one eyepiece having acontact lens engaged with said head; (ii) operating said apparatus so asto effect cleaning of a contact lens engaged with said head of saideyepiece.